- Microboards CopyWriter Pro – This is the 4-bay rackmount version of the company’s popular CWT1052, which is also one of our best sellers. The unit has a lot going for it, including a budget-friendly price (remember the days when a simple CD recorder cost a small fortune?), FireWire connectivity, one-touch operation, a built-in 80GB internal drive, and selectable speeds up to 40x for CD-R. There’s an easy-to-read, 2-line display for status and error reporting, but the thing that really sets this item apart is that it can seamlessly switch to the second disc when the first one gets full. If you think about it, that’s a really useful feature. Then again, Microboards has always built products with a combination of great features and world class dependability. Oh, it looks pretty cool, too.
- Apple Aperture – While you might be blown away by a list of all the features that come standard with Apple’s all-in-one, photo processor and image manipulator, the thing you’ll like most is the fact that the company just dropped the price by a whopping $200! No, that’s not a typo — Apple really dropped the price of Aperture v1.1 from $499 to just $299. Now every photographer can work in RAW digital format as easily as JPEG. This is a feature that the pros have dreamed of for years, because images shot in RAW format have all the detail and color accuracy of the finest 35mm images. If you own a Canon EOS or a Nikon D-Series or any fine digital SLR, you simply cannot be without this software!
- Roland JUNO-G – Okay, who wants a 61-note synth with an integral audio/MIDI recorder, 128-note polyphony, and Sonar LE software? Roland took all the best sounds from its Fantom-X, put them into this very retro-looking package (think JUNO-60) and then wrapped everything up nicely with a brilliant user interface, USB connectivity, and a very affordable price tag, particularly considering the fact that this bad boy comes standard with an onboard audio/MIDI recorder (plus we throw in free shipping). Also onboard is the infrared D-Beam controller, a PC card slot, multi-effects to die for, and a huge display that dwarfs lesser keyboards. Did we mention the arpeggiator or the bundled Cakewalk Sonar LE softwaere or the fact you can expand your sonic palette with one of Roland’s acclaimed SRX expansion boards? Just get one. You’ll be thrilled!
- Samson Q1U – Just a few years ago, the idea of a super-cardioid condenser mic that you could plug directly into a computer would have been almost unthinkable. But when you add in a sub-$50 price tag (with free shipping), that’s more in the “Fantasy World” realm. Welcome to Fantasy World, folks! Because Samson’s Q1U is the first dynamic mic with a built-in 16-bit/48kHz A/D converter and USB connectivity. No need for an expensive preamp. Just plug this into your desktop or laptop computer and you’re ready to rock! Comes complete with a 3-meter USB cable and a tripod desk stand. Plug in, hit record. Yeah, it’s really that simple!
